This is a great first book in a new cozy mystery series! There's an interesting cast of characters who I look forward to learning more about, as well as an interesting set-up - the main character runs an antiquities appraisal business and is presently working with a museum to evaluate a large ruby for possible purchase. Recommended for fans of mysteries.

It's always good to begin a series from the very first instalment and I enjoyed reading this one, Ruby Red Herring immensely. Avery Ayers has taken over the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised, alongside partners and colleagues, Micah Abbott and Sir Robert Lane. The company has an office in Lilac Grove and a branch in Manhattan. She is living back at home with her younger sister Tilly and their eccentric Aunt Midge and her Afghan hound. Her parent's deaths in a road accident a year ago hit Avery hard but Avery's life is rocked even more when Avery learns that the theft of a priceless ruby may be connected to her parent's demise. Avery is asked to appraise a rare ruby by the Museum of Antiquities that has similarities to a solitary stone in the museum's bejewelled dragon medallion exhibit, which is missing one of its ruby eyes. As Avery is setting off for the meeting, she finds a plain white envelope on her doormat. Opening it she discovers a note warning her off taking the assignment and as Avery and her colleagues suspect they may have the missing gem, another body turns up. Avery receives more mysterious notes and requests the help of possible ally and security guard Art Smith's to find who might have bumped off her parents. An excellent start to this new series, the characters are entertaining and well formulated. The plot has depth and the mystery held my interest throughout. I liked Tracy Gardner's writing style and I'm hoping to read more about Aunt Midge in the next instalment. I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner is the debut of An Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series. I enjoyed this stimulating new cozy mystery. Avery Ayers and her sister, Tilly lost their parents in an auto accident a year ago. Their eccentric Aunt Midge moved in with them along with her dog, Halston. Avery began working at her parent’s business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. Their latest assignment has the company appraising a rare ruby that could link to a dragon medallion currently on display at the museum. Before Avery can delve into the job, she receives a threatening note. This is just the beginning of strange incidents and threats. Avery has no intention of backing off the case. She is going to get answers and resolve this matter once and for all. I thought Ruby Red Herring was well-written with developed characters. The author takes the time to introduce our main characters and set the stage for the series. I like Avery, Tilly, and Aunt Midge. They are a close-knit unit. We get to spend time in their home as they go about their lives. Aunt Midge and Tilly provide humor and lightness. There is also Micah, Sir Robert, Art Smith, and Halston, Aunt Midge’s Afghan hound. I am glad the author gave us the characters backstory. The mystery was fascinating and complex. It involves lies, intrigue, threats, a large ruby, and murder. There was plenty of action that kept propelling the story forward toward the conclusion. I had a good time solving this whodunit (I love a challenging mystery). I like how everything tied together along with the satisfying conclusion. It was interesting learning about the appraisal process. It is explained in an easy-to-understand manner. I like how the author addressed Avery’s mental health issues after the death of her parents. She was grief stricken and felt their death was her fault. Avery also has anger management issues. She visits a therapist who gives her coping techniques. I could certainly understand her pain over her parents’ death and the feelings of guilt. Ruby Red Herring is an intriguing cozy mystery with a stimulating stone, terrifying threats, cryptic clues, a cherished canine, an energetic teen, an affectionate aunt, and a murdered man.

historical-research, antiques, mysteries, museum, family-dynamics, friendship This one is definitely character driven and has several mysterious aspects. The dominant one is regarding the provenance and veracity of a large antique ruby, followed by its possible dangerous aspects. Another is the possibility that Avery's parents were not actually killed in an accident a year ago. And of course there's a murder. The research seemed very good, and the characters are first-rate. I enjoyed looking into the window of antique gemology. I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.